Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics

http://alliedhealth.ouhsc.edu/Prospective-Students/Academic-Programs/MA-in-Dietetics

Program Description

OU’s Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics is unique in Oklahoma because it seamlessly combines classroom instruction with the internship experience. Students take classes while they complete over 1200 internship hours—what they learn in class, they put immediately into practice. Students work with talented preceptors throughout the state of Oklahoma to gain on-the-job training for a variety of career paths and begin networking for future employment opportunities. Upon graduation from the program, they are ready to take the national registration exam and become an RDN, when they may obtain state certification or licensure as appropriate. 

Students must have a strong science background as preparation for this challenging program. After meeting prerequisite courses, they can then apply to the Nutritional Sciences program which begins each fall semester. If accepted to the program, students begin coursework specific to nutrition. Courses include Experimental Foods (the science of cooking), Nutrition during the Life Cycle (normal nutrition care for all stages of the life cycle from pregnancy to old age), Medical Nutrition Therapy (nutrition intervention for people with disease), Quantity Foods and Food Service Management (how to direct a production kitchen and run a nutrition-related business), and Community Nutrition (reaching large populations with nutrition education).

Program Defined

RDNs work across the spectrum of health and disease, from developing new methods of food production and food service to preventing disease and enhancing performance in healthy individuals to reducing the burden of disease after diagnosis. There are 3 steps to becoming an RDN: classroom education, internship experience (also called supervised practice), and passing the national registration exam. 

M.A./M.S. Dual Degree Option

The Department of Nutritional Sciences has a long-standing agreement with the Graduate College to allow some CPMA coursework to additionally count toward the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences (M.S.) graduate degree.

A Master of Science degree is a graduate degree, meaning it develops a different skill set than the Master of Arts professional degree. The Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics (CPMA) degree program seeks to teach skills required for the profession of dietetics. The M.S. program seeks to enhance critical thinking and problem solving, to teach students how to ask good questions, gather and evaluate information, and share new knowledge with others. Students do not have to complete an M.S. to be a registered dietitian, but it may help develop specific skills that can translate to the workplace, depending on the type of career the student desires. Any student who wants to know more about the M.A./M.S. dual option should speak with the CPMA and M.S. Program Directors.

All students who are eligible for the CPMA program may decide to complete the dual degree option—students who have completed an undergraduate degree as well as students who have completed the minimum 90 prerequisite hours but have not completed an undergraduate degree. Every student must apply for the MS and pay the associated application fee(s). As students are accepted into the CPMA program, they will receive information on the process to apply for the MS, should they decide to do so.

Students who begin the CPMA program without an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply to the MS program after completing the Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences, which occurs after Summer I. Nine hours of coursework in Fall II will count toward both the CPMA and MS degrees.

Students who have already completed an undergraduate degree when they begin the CPMA program are eligible to apply to the MS immediately and may earn 19 hours of credit through coursework that counts toward both the CPMA and MS degrees.

A minimum of 34 credit hours is required for the MS in Nutritional Sciences. These remaining hours include core requirements (including Thesis, Biostatistics Methods I, and Seminar) plus additional hours of electives as selected by the student. Many Nutritional Sciences electives are taught every other year, so students can take a wide variety of courses. Potential electives may be found on the MS Curriculum web page. All students in the M.A./M.S. dual option must complete a thesis, and students will work with their individual faculty mentor to complete this project.

Completion of the M.S. in addition to the M.A. degree is anticipated to add approximately one semester to the program, but time for completion is dependent on the individual student’s preference in number of additional M.S.-only courses they wish to enroll in and in choice of thesis project.

Accreditation

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: http://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Coordinated Program for Master of Arts in Dietetics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.

For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.

Further information about accredited dietetic education programs may be obtained from:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: 800/877-1600, ext. 5400

Cost

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the prescribed courses and to pay tuition and fees at the time designated by the Bursar's Office. Details regarding tuition/fee charges and collection are available from the Bursar's Office.

Admissions

To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

1. Meet the following degree or credit hour requirements:
   1. Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the program. There is no preference given to a specific major, applicants should choose a major of interest;
   2. OR have successfully completed, or be in the process of completing, prerequisite coursework (minimum 90 credit hours - no more than 60 credit hours from a two-year college will count toward the required 90 and at least 30 credit hours must be earned at a four-year institution) from any accredited college or university prior to starting the program
      1. Students will be eligible to earn the B.S. in Nutritional Sciences degree after the completion of 30 hours in the program;
2. AND meet the following GPA requirements:
   1. At minimum, earn a 2.75 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
   2. At minimum, earn a 2.75 pre-requisite grade point average on a 4.0 scale. This GPA includes the following prerequisite courses: Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2, Human Physiology, and Introduction to Nutrition;
   3. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs;
   4. Be in good standing with the college or university last or currently attending;
   5. While a 2.75 is the minimum eligibility requirement, please review our admission statistics from the previous year to ensure that you are a competitive applicant.
3. AND have completed, or are in the process of completing the required pre-requisites:
   1. Successfully complete all departmental prerequisite courses with grades of C or better prior to beginning our program in August, please note that the required 2.75 pre-requisite GPA still applies;
   2. Human Physiology and Introduction to Nutrition must have been taken within the 5 years prior to admission;
   3. Courses taken during the spring 2020 semester may have a “P” for passing or “S” for satisfactory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that the required 2.75 cumulative grade point average still applies;
   4. If your pre-requisites are from a college or university that is not the University of Oklahoma, please refer to the Transfer Equivalency Database to find out if your courses transfer.
4. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required as part of the application process.
5. If English is a second language, submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Applicants must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based) within two years prior to application. The OUHSC institution code for the TOEFL is 6902. The department may waive TOEFL scores if the applicant provides evidence of graduation from a U.S. High School or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Click here to review additional information regarding the TOEFL and TOEFL waiver.

Application Procedure 

1. Complete an online application through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Office of Admissions and Records;
2. Submit official, sealed transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended directly to OUHS Admissions and Records;
   1. If previous coursework is from colleges or universities outside of the US, have all transcripts/mark sheets processed through World Education Services (WES);
3. Once the OUHS application is complete and all transcripts have been received, applicants will receive a link to complete the online asynchronous interview/assessment through Kira Talent;
4. Selection:
   1. Once an application is complete, including the OUHSC application, Official Transcripts, and Kira Talent Assessment, it will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Decisions may be made as early as October 1st.
      1. Decisions may include admitted, waitlisted, or denied. We do not publish our waitlist and will continue to admit students until the class is filled, which may continue through Summer 2025.
      2. Admitted applicants will be notified via an electronic letter sent by OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records. Waitlisted or Denied students will be notified via email of their status.
      3. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have provided a correct email address in the OU application system and be monitoring their email for updates.
5. Admitted applicants must accept their position according to the timeline communicated on their electronic letter received through OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records, or the position will be considered declined. If admitted, applicants must accept their position by paying a non-refundable deposit, which will be applied toward tuition and fees during the first term
6. Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation the week before the start of their first semester beginning in August 2025 as well as meet all university compliance and eligibility requirements. Admission is conditional based on meeting all requirements and the college reserves the right to rescind admission offers up until the start of the first week of school.

DUAL NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES, M.S./ DIETETICS, M.A. Curriculum

CPMA by Semester

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall Semester		Hours
NS 7153	Nutrition During the Life Cycle	3
NS 5132	Adult Weight Management	2
NS 7111	Clinical Dietetics Profession	1
NS 7192	Nutrition Assessment	2
NS 5233	Research Methods	3
NS 7212	Quantity Foods	2
NS 5104	Nutrtional Biochemistry and Physiology	4
	Hours	17
Spring Semester
NS 7222	Nutrition Counseling	2
NS 7121	Counseling Practicum	1
NS 7244	Medical Nutrition Therapy	4
NS 5823	Energy Nutrients	3
NS 5253	Experimental Foods	3
NS 7412	Food Preparation Practicum	2
	Hours	15
Summer Semester
NS 5133	Public Health Nutrition I	3
NS 7313	Dietetic Education Capstone Seminar	3
	Hours	6
Year 2
Fall Semester
NS 5134	Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy	4
NS 7213	Food and Nutrition Management	3
NS 5833	Non-Energy Nutrients	3
NS 6133	Public Health Nutrition II	3
NS 7542	Medical Nutrition Therapy Practicum	2
	Hours	15
Spring Semester
NS 7615	Clinical Nutrition Practicum 1	5
NS 7625	Food and Nutrition Services Management Practicum 1	5
	Hours	10
Summer Semester
NS 7635	Community Nutrition Practicum 1	5
	Hours	5
	Total Hours	68

¹

May be completed in any order.

Subject to change, if needed.

The CPMA observes the University calendar which may be accessed through the Office of Admissions and Records website. However, the supervised practicum may require that students work during holidays. For example, during the spring of the second year, there is no spring break as students will be onsite in healthcare facilities as a part of their supervised practice.

The final three practicums may be completed in any order based on availability of rotation sites.

Prerequisites

Course numbers are those of the University of Oklahoma. Approved prerequisite courses are offered at many institutions. It is extremely important that you look up every course you have taken, plan to take, and/or are currently enrolled in to verify that they are equivalent courses. The responsibility is yours to enroll in equivalent courses and we provide the tools to make sure you do. Check the Transfer Equivalencies Database or with your school advisor regarding equivalent courses. There are instructions on that page on how to request a transcript evaluation for particular courses if your courses are not listed in the database.

All prerequisites are required unless noted in the footnotes.  Please read the footnote descriptions located directly underneath the table.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CHEM 1315	General Chemistry	4-5
CHEM 1415	General Chemistry (Continued)	4-5
Varies - Upper Level General Education Course		3
P SC 1113	American Federal Government	3
Varies - Artistic Forms		3
MATH 1503	College Algebra	3
PSY 1113	Elements Of Psychology	3
ENGL 1113	Principles Of English Composition	3
ENGL 1213	Principles Of English Composition	3
Varies - Foreign Language 1st course
Varies - Foreign Language 2nd course
HIST 1483	United States, 1492 To 1865	3
or HIST 1493	United States, 1865 To The Present
Varies - Western Culture		3
Varies - World Culture or Non-Western Culture		3
Varies - Upper Level Courses		10
BIOL 1005	Concepts in Biology.	4-5
or BIOL 1124	Intro Biol: Molecule/Cell/Phys
BIOL 2124	Human Physiology	4
HES 2823	Introductory Nutrition	3
Varies - General Education Course - Core V: First Year Experience		3
Varies - Electives 1		varies

¹

Electives to equal 87 credit hours when admitted without a "First Year Experience" general education course or electives to equal 90 credit hours when admitted with a "First Year Experience" general education course completed

Remedial courses do not count towards the credit hours. Students attending a two-year college may use their transfer credit to meet certain lower-division course requirements only.

Additional Information

Varies = there are multiple courses that are equivalent for these prerequisites. If you are attending OU in Norman for these courses, click here for equivalent courses; if attending another institution, please check the Transfer Equivalency Database link below.